Aeroplane.



A. PUSTERLA.

Patented June 27, 191i 7 EiHEETS-SHHET l.

A. PUSTERLA.

AEROPLANE. APPLICATION rmm JULY 9, 1909. 996,4g5, "Patented June 27, 1911;

7 SHEETS-SHEET 2. R

gwz a A. PUSTERLA.

'ABROPLANE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1909.

Patented June 27, 1911;

I SHEETS-SHEET 3.

lnoeinfoz A. PUSTERLA.

ABEOPLANB. APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1909.

Patented June 27, 1911.

A. 'PUSTERLA. AEROPLANE.

APPLICATION FILED JULYQ, 1908.

Patented June 27, 1911.

7 SHEETS-SHEET 5.

Witnwoeo A. PUSTBRLA; AEROPLANE. APPLICATION FILED JULYQ, 1909.

Patented June 2?, 1911..

7 SHEETSSHBBT 6.

lanine/soc A. PUSIERLA.

\ AEROPLANE. APPLICATION FILED JULY 9, 1909.

Patented June 27, 1911.

7 SHEETS-SHEETY.

nuentov Bathbeach,-- Long Island, New York, have anna no AEROPLANE.

'lo oll whom it'may concern: 1 Be ltknown that I, A'I'TILIO PUSTERLA, a citizen of the United States, residing at 'fiin'yented certain new and useful Improvements in' Aeroplanes; and I do hereby declare the following who 'afull, clear, and

exact description of the invention, such as Wlll enable others skilled in the art to which 1t app-ertains to make and use the same, reference being had to the accompanying draw ings, and to letters or marked there-on,

specification.

My invention-relates to improvements in figures of reference wh ch form a part of this aeroplanes, and has for its object to provide a safe and reliable machine capable of ascending in a Vertical plane, of traveling in a horizontal plane, and of being guided laterally at the will of the operator.

To these ends the invention consists in providing an even number of radial wings, preferably more. than two, so constructed and-operated as to effect the verticalascent; in providing lateral, horizontally pivoted steering planes cooperating with vertically pivoted rudder planes for effectively con trolling-the lateral'moveinents; in providing forward and rear horizontally pivoted planes for controlling the upward and downward movement during flight, and in providing aplurality of propeller bladesfor driving the machine forward and backward.

The invention consists also in the construction, combination and arrangement of parts, as hereinafter more particularly set fortln'and specified in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings-Figure l is a longitudinal, vertical section of a machine embodying my invention. Fig. 2 1's a plan view of the machine. Fig. 3 is an en' larged, detail, vertical, sectional view of the top central portionof the frame and parts connected thereto. Fig. at is a top plan of the same. Fig. 5 is an enlarged detail side elevation of the lower central portion of the machine. Fig. 6 is a planet the same portion, showing additional parts.

Fig. 7 is an enlarged detail elevation partly in section, of t-hecl'utchmechanrsm. F 1g. 8

I Specification of Letters Patent. Patented. Application filed July 9, 1909. Serial No. 506,813. K r 1.

form being connected by B is secured a horizontal tube'tl', which tubes 'rod 12 projecting out oftlie"colum11""aiid 'ing the frame and platform ftogethcrf by ,llQ.

or oNE-HArJF o sin/inn t,

' i Iv .1, i HY; vlew of a valve frame. Fig. 12 1s llyGIllarged cross section of Queer th' as rods.

of the samev mechanism. Fig. [16 'is a detail 1 view of one of the operating ropes "and shock absorbing spring. Fig. 1*7'is "'side view 'o a set of guiding planes. i The main frame consists'j o 'tubular column A, mounted a t'itsf octagonal platform B, and has fi. cd ati upper end a spider 1 formed-witlraneven number of radiating arm. "-2', pre rably 7 eight, as here shown, said jspidfe serie ropes a.

To the outer end spider 1,'and at each of each arm of the angle of the pntnmmft are connected in pairs by horizontal "cross-"Qfl' pieces 4, Fig. 2, and each pair is eonne'cted by horizontal parallel bars .5, 5", andeP, 5?, while the upper and lower sets of tubes "13" 33b are connected at and near theirouter iends by vertical posts 6. I f

Beneath the platform B is secu red'a cage I C, for the accommodation" of enac ment f operators and for the" receptionfof t e'fe n' 3:5 gine and motor. This cagefconsistsjof platform 7 and roof .8, preferably tliesa ne f shape as the platform B allkltcOllll td ftoflf the latter by hollow columns 9,2111 to tl lower horizontal rods 'Lstay-rod 1.90 The columns communicate" with eaclr'other' through a series of connecting conduits '11),"5, Fig. 5, and in each of columns is mounted a piston 11, connected to aipiston connected to a bumper frame13, of suitable c nstruction. An air pump, as 14, operated by any,suit-j) able means, is mounted onnthe fplatfforn Z v y and is connected to the cond its 10 100. pipe 15 provided with a suitable valve 16, j'- controlled by the operator; The purpose of the piston rodsfis'ffist to aid in starting the machineioa scend,andp 1 second,*to' act as a cushion in descending. 1 05 The starting is accomplished I I bringing the platform 17 unfit-tile supporting or bumper frame 13 into closefjrelation'by exhausting the air in the cylinderspnd lock-l movement of the pistons, thereby acting as an air cushion,

After the frame has been given a start by the means above described, the ascent is continned by 'a plurality of pivoted Wings, which arev constructed and operated in the following described manner: The wings, shown in detail in Figs. 9 to 12, extend into angular spaces formed between the upper. radiating tubes 3', and comprise two side bars 18, 19, and a central bard" 20, and to make the wings as light as possible, the. side bars are constructed of strips of bamboo or other strong, light wood, shaped to conform to said angular spaces, and are connected throughout their length by cross rods or braces 21. To each of the side bars is connected a single Valve 22, while to. the center bar are connected two valves 22. The valves preferably consist of strips of canvasstretched on a frame 23 and connected to the bars in any manner to permit them to swing freely. To prevent the outer valves from swinging outward too far when moved downward, each outer valve is connected to the central bar 20 by a retaining cord 24 and to insure the separation of the inner valve when moved downward they are held slightly separated by cords 24 connected to the bars 18, 19 and to the lower end of the valves, 22*. On the inner ends of the central bars are fixed two plates 25, which have fixed between them a pulley 25,

which is journaled on a short shaft 26 fixed.

to the arms of the spider 1, as 'shown in Figs. 3 and 4. Mounted beneath the roof 8 and secured thereto in any suitable manner is a motor 27, which may be any desired type of explosion motor operated by liquid fuel, preferably gasolene.

The main shaft 28, of the motor extends through the roof 8. Mounted on the shaft which is preferably square in cross section is a clutch sleeve consisting of two oppositely positioned conical surfaces 29 and 39,

Fig. 7 and having a square bore to fit the shaft 28 so as to rotate therewith. The sleeve is movable longitudinally of the shaft by means of a lever 31 engaging the sleeve and pivot-ally mounted on a framing 3.2, depending from the platform B.

Surrounding each conical surface is a cooperating clutch member 33, provided with a recess 33 to receive one end of the sleeve and frictionally engage the-same. Each hollow clutch member 33 has integral peripheral gear teeth 33 which mesh with a series of small gears 34, journaled in the framing and meshing with internal teeth 35 of a gear 36 which has external bevel teeth. 37 in mesh with bevel pinions' 38.

The lower bevel pinions 38 are fixed on shafts 39, journaled in suitable standards 40, and have fixed thereon sprocketwheels ,41 which are connected by sprocket chains 42 with sprocket wheels 43, Fig. 1, which arefixed on a crank-shaft 44 journaled in bearings 45 Fig. 6, mounted on the platform B. The center journal, or pillow block, 46, for the crank shaift forms .a step for the central column A, on which are slidably mounted two sleeves 47 and 48. These sleeves are connected together, and to the pulleys fixed to the wings, by means of ropes orother flexible con 'cting members 49. .The sleeve 47 is connect d to cranks 50, 50, of the crankshaft. 44 by flexible connecting members '51, 51, and the sleeve 48 is connected to cranks 52, 52, by flexible members 53, 53, which pass throu h apertures in the sleeve 47 The relative position of the cranks and the manner in avhich they are connected to the sleeves cause the latter to be raised and lowered simultaneously; or in other words, when the sleeve 47 through the medium of its connecting members 51 is pulled down the sleeve 48 through its connecting members 49 is' raised and when the sleeve 48 is lowered by the downward movement of cranks .52 through the medium 'of connecting members 53, the sleeve 47 is raised by the connecting .member 49. Y

To rotate each alternate pulley in the same direction, in order that this movement maybe imparted to thewings, the flexible connecting members or ropes 49 are connected to the pulleys in the following man ner: Each alternate rope 49 passes from the sleeve 47, where it is connected, over the outside of each alternate pulley and is connected to the periphery thereof, while the other ropes 49v pass over the inside of the other. pulleys, and are likewise connected thereto, so that the simultaneous downward pull on the ropes49 will rotate each alternate pulley in the\same direction, or each adjacent pulley in opposite direction. To prevent slacking of the .ropes, and to absorb the shocks incident to the changing of the direction of movement of the sleeves, I connect coiled springs 49 to said ropes in the manner shown in Fig. 16.

Horizontal movement is imparted to the machine byaneans of a series of propellers mountedaround the outer edge of the main frame on the lower cross pieces 4.- Each propeller mechanism comprises a stationary vertical post, 51, Fig. 14; fixed in a bracket 4: secured to the cross pieces 4 and journaled on said post is a bevel gear 52 resting on ball bearings 53 in the .top of the bracket. This gear 52" meshes with a bevel pinion 5% on the outer end of a horizontal driven shaft 55, which carries at its inner end a bevel gear54 Fig. 7, which meshes with the upper bevel gear 36 adapted to be driven by the clutch surface 30, as vhereinbefore described, when the latter is shifted by the lever, 31 into contact with the upper clutch member Formed integral with the bevel gear 52 is a circular plate 56 provided with radial bearings 57, in which bearings and in bearings 58 on the gear 52* are journaled shafts 59 carrying propeller blades 60. Keyed on the shafts 59 between the bearings 57, 58 are two parallel brackets 61, 62, Fig. 15, each having preferably four arms connected by pins 63, on which are journaled rollers 64:.

Fixed on the squared end of the stationary post 51 is a spider 65, which supports a ring G6 in the path of revolution of the rollers 64:. At each halfv of the ring 66 is formed'an arch 67 of such height as to permit the rollers 6st to move through the arc of the circle, and depending from the center of said arch and below the under face of the ring 66 is a: finger 68, which, as the rollers 64 are -moved past said finger by the rotation of the plate 56, causes the shafts 59 to rotate a quarter of a turn and. cause a slmultaneous rotation of. two oppositely positioned propeller blades a quarterof a revolution.

A series of superposed lateral planes 69 are mounted at each side of the frame and centrally pivoted between the parallel bars 5, 5; on crossbars. 70 fixed to said bars 5, 5,

and on the inner and outer parallelbars 5 at the front and rear of the frame, respective1y,.are pivoted at one edge a series of superposed planes 71. The planes 69 are pivotally connected to each other at their ends by rods 72, Fig. 17, so that they will move in unison; movement being imparted to the bottom. plane of each series by means of shafts-73 journaled in the lower bars 5, 5, parallel to the cross bars 70 and extending to the cage C where each shaft is separately controlled by means of independent levers 73*, Fig. 5, which are connected with the shafts 73 by cranks 73 73 fixed on the ileverand shaft respectively, said cranks being-connected by links 73. The shafts 73 are operatively connected to the bottom planes by means of rods 74 which are pivotally connected to saidplanes at one end .and to cranks 7.5 fixed on'the shafts 7 3. The

front and rear planes 71, 71 are pivotally connected in series by means of rods 76, Fig. 1, so that theywill. move in unison with the bottom planes, to which movement is impartedbythe.following.mechanism.

On oneof the lower rods 5 at both the by means of ropes 78 with the lower planes and with levers 79 projecting from the lat ter, and the other two arms of the levers 77 are connected, by means of ropes 80, with two armed levers 81 fixed on sprocket wheels 82 journaled in the cage.

The front and rear planes are simultaneously operated 1 connecting the two sprocket -wheels'.?82j

through intermediate sprocket, wheels .83;

and chains 84, which are controlled by a hand wheel 85 mounted on the cage.

The machine is guided in its horizontal movement by means of vertical rudders 86,.

pivotally mounted at each end of the rear planes 71 on the vertical tubes 6. These planes operate in conjunction with the planes 69 and are connected to the shafts 73 through the medium of pulleys 87 on the shaft 73, and cross arms 88 on the rudders, said pulleys and cross arms being connected by belts 89.

The operation of the machine is as follows: Simultaneously with the sudden lifting of the frame, by the action of the piston rods, as above described, the engine is started,

and the outer end of the lever 31 is pushed up by the operator so as to lower the end 29 of the clutch sleeve, which is now rotating with the engine shaft 28, into frictional I engagement with the lower clutch member 33, causing the latter to rotate and drivethe Pl crank-shafted which operates the wings, as hereinbefore. lllGSCI'llJGCl, causlng a vertical ascension of the machine. When the desired altitude is attained the movement of the wings is stopped by pulling down on the lever 31 sufficiently to raise the end 29 of the sleeve out of contact with the lower clutch member. The machine may now be driven forward by the propeller blades 60.

which are connected with the upper clutch member 33, as hereinbefore described, by, exerting a further pull on the lever 31 suf ficient to raise the upper end 30 of the clutch sleeve into frictional engagement with the upper clutch member 33. During the forward flight the machine may be raised and lowered by means of the front and. rear.

planes 71, 71 which are controlled and si-J multaneously operated by the mechanism hereinbefore described, said mechanism be 1 20 ing controlled by the operator by means of the hand wheel 85. By rotating the wheeli 85 in one direction the rear ends of the 'front and rear planes are simultaneously 'ralsedand lowered respectively, bringin the top}, of the front plane and the underside of the rear planes against lZ-lIQJVlIlCl and caus1ng=,.;

the machine to descend, and by turning. the

wheelin the opposite direction. the position .of the planes 1s reversed,caus1ng an upward Lateral movemovement of the machine.

ment may be imparted to either the right or left at the will of the operator, by means of the side planes 69 and vertical rudders 86.

As each set of side planes is controlled by the independently operable shafts 7 3, which also control the rudders, it will readilybe seen that one set of planes and one rudder only are operable together. WVhen lateral movement is desired, for instance tothe right, the operator will shift the right hand lever 73 forward, rotating the right hand shaft 73 which will rock the right hand set of planes 69 and bring the underside of said planes against the wind and simultaneously turn the right hand rudder into the proper position. I

If desired, a slight motion may be 1m- 7 parted to the wings by means of a lever 39,

Fig. 7 fixed on the shaft 39.

I claim 1. In a flying machine, the combination with a frame, of an even number of separate oscillative lifting propeller wing frames greater than two radiating from a common center, and means to move the alternate wing in the same direction.

2. I11 a flying machine, the combination with a main frame, of an even number of separate lifting propeller .wing frames greater than two pivotedon fixed axes and assembled about and diverging from a common center, and power mechanism to move each alternate wing simultaneously in the same direction.

'3. In a flying machine, the combination w1th a main frame, of an even number of separateoscillative lifting propeller wing frames each com osed of side bars divergmg from the center of the 11121111 frame,

valves pivoted on said bars, and means to move the alternate wing frames in the same direction.

t. Ina flying machine, the combination with a main frame, of an even number of separate oscillative lifting propeller wing frames each composed of side bars diverging from the center of the main frame, a single valve pivoted-on each side bar, two valves pivoted on the wing frames between the side bars, and means to move each alternate wing frames in the same direction.

5. In a flying machine, the combination with a main frame, of an even number of bars ible members connected with the wing frames and slides mounted on the central post connected with the flexible members.

8. In a flying machine, the combination with a main frame having a central vertical part, of an even number of separate wing frames greater than two pivotall-y connected with the main frame and composed of side bars diverging outwardly, gravitycontrolled valves pivoted on said side bars, flexible members connected with the wing frames, slides mounted on the central post connected with the flexible members and means to simultaneously reciprocate the slides.

9. In a flying machine, the combination with a main frame having a central vertical part, of an even number of separate wing frames greater. than two pivotally connected with the main. frame and composed of side diverging outwardly, gravity-controlled valves pivoted on said side bars,

flexible members connected with the wingframes, slides mounted on the central post connected with the flexible members: and

means to simultaneously reciprocate the slides in opposite directions.

10. In a flying machine, the combination with the frame and a central post; of a plurality of wings pivoted on the frame around the post, pulleys fixed, to the wings, sliding members on the post, flexible members connecting the pulleys and sliding members,.

and means to reciprocate the latter.

11. In a flying machine, the combination with a main frame having a central post, of an even number of separate wing frames greater than two surrounding the post, pulleys on the inner ends of said wing frames journaled in the main frame, slides on the post, flexible members connected to the pulleys and slides, the consecutive flexible members passing over opposite sides of the pulleys to which they are connected, and means to reciprocate the slides in opposite directions.

12. In a flying machine, the combination with a mainframe having a central post, of an even number of separate wing frames greater than two surrounding the 'post,pulleys on the inner ends of said wing frames journaled in the main frame, slides on the post, flexible members connected to the pule coiled springs connected at both ends to the mally under tension.

' planes pivotally i with the frame and power mechanism; .of

I interposed between the ends of the planes,

- and oscillated about fixed axes by said mechhorizontal axes'in the front and rear of the said planes on their pivots.

.said mechanism, a plurality of superposed with the frame and power mechanism; of

'zontal axes outside the wing frames and 'ineans to rock said planes on their pivots.

- with the frame and power mechanism of leys and slides, the consecutive flexiblemembers passing over opposite sides of the pulto reciprocate the slides in oscillatory wings, ating members, thewings, and

reciprocating wing-operflexible members connecting reciprocating members, and

flexible members, said springs being, nor- 14. 'In' a'flying machine, the combination with, the frame andpower'mechanism; of a plurality of wings alternately operable by said mechanism, a plurality of superposed mounted on one edge in front and rear of said frame, and a set of superposed, centrally pivoted planes mounted on-each side of the frame.

15. In a flying machine, the combination a pluralityof wings alternately operable by planes pivotally mounted on one edge in front and rear of said frame, means to simultaneously swing said planes, a set of superposed centrally pivoted planes mounted on each side of the frame and means to independently swing each set of planes.

16. Ina flying machine, the combination a "number of pivoted wing-frames greater than two radiating from a common center' and operated by said mechanism, a plurality of pivoted planes mounted outside of the wing frames, and a plurality of propellers 17. In a flying machine, the combination with the frame and power mechanism; of a number .of pivoted Wing frames greater than two radiating from a common center anism, a plurality of planes pivoted on hori- 18. In a flying machine, the-combination a-nuniber of pivoted wing frames greater than .two radiating from a common center and oscillated about fixedpivots by said; mechanism, 'planes pivotally mounted on frame,'an'd means to simultaneously swing 19. In a flying machine, the combination witha main frame; ofa support therefor comprising a plurality of hollow communicating cylinders, rods slid'able in the latter, means'to supply air to the cylinders, and means to hold the rods in the cylinders and to suddenly release said rods therefrom.-

20. In a flying machine, a frameasupporting platform, a plurality of cylindersdependingfromthe latter, a floor supported by the cylinders, communicating conduits communicating wit-h the cylinders, pistons mounted in the latter, rods on said pistons projecting from the cylinders, a bumper frame connecting the pistons, a' triggeroperated mechanism to connect the floor and bumper frame,-and means to compress air in the cylinders, for the purpose specified. j 21. In a flying machine, a frame compris ing a central column, a plurality of hori'.

zontal bars radiating from the top and bottom thereof, vertical posts and horizontalrods connecting the bars, wings mounted be- I tween the top bars, power mechanism mounted below the frame for alternately operating the wings, planes pivotally mounted on v the horizontalrods, means for swinging said planes, rudders mounted on the vertical- 'posts at the rear of the frame, and means for operating the rudders.

22. In a flying machine, a main frame, al ternately operable wing frames pivotally connected with the frame, a plurality of superposed centrally pivoted planes on the frame beyond the outer edges of'the Wing frame, means to connect the planes in sets, and an independently operable cont-rolling shaft connected with each set of planes.

23. In a flying machine, a main frame, alternately operable wings vpivotally connected with the frame, a plurality of superposed centrally pivoted planes mounted on each side of the frame, means to connect the planes in sets, an independently operable controlling shaft connected with each set of planes, a plurality of superposed planes pivoted on the frame at the front and reartliereof, and means to operate the front and rear planes simultaneously. V

In testimony that I claim the foregoing as my invention, I have signed my name in pisence of two subscribing witnesses.

' I ATTILIO PUSTERLA.

Witnesses:

PLAOIDO Mom, PAOLO TERTL 

